Elena Bechke and Denis Petrov began their amateur career together in 1988 in their hometown of St. Petersburg, Russia, under the training of legendary pairs coach Tamara Moskvina. It was evident from the beginning that they were talented, but their nerves always got the better of them in competition. Throughout their amateur career, they struggled to move up the National and World ranks until finally breaking through in 1992 when they won the Soviet Union Nationals and placed 2nd at the Olympics after delivering two near-flawless programs. After the 1992 Worlds, they decided to turn professional, and moved to Richmond, Virginia, to keep training with their coach. They started touring with Stars On Ice in 1994, and kept improving each year. In 1996, they won every pro event they entered, including the World Pros, at which they finished 2nd 4 years in a row. Elena and Denis are noted for many original moves, including their signature move, a death spiral known as "The Impossible", invented by their coach. It is their artistry and unique lifts and moves that make them one of the most respected professional pairs teams in the world. The 1999-2000 skating season was B & P's last season with Stars On Ice. Denis is skating alone with this year's tour while Elena continues coaching young students at their training base of SkateNation in Richmond, VA. Denis will resume his coaching career after the Canadian leg of the tour. It is unknown what their plans for next season are.

          As for their personal relationship, they started dating in 1988, got married in 1990 and divorced in 1995. They remain great friends, and will be remembered for years to come as one of the greatest pairs teams in figure skating history.

          2nd 1992 Olympic Winter Games
          4th 1992 World Championships
          1st 1992 Soviet Union National Championships
          2nd 1992 European Championships
          2nd 1991 Soviet Union National Championships
          1st 1991 NHK Trophy
          4th 1991 World Championships
          2nd 1991 European Championships
          4th 1990 Soviet Union National Championships
          1st 1990 NHK Trophy
          3rd 1990 Goodwill Games
          3rd 1989 World Championships
          1st 1989 Nations Cup
          2nd 1989 NHK Trophy
          1st 1988 Sparkssen Cup On Ice
          2nd 1988 St. Ivel
          2nd 1988 Moscow News Cup

          2nd 1999 World Professional Championships
          1st 1999 ESPN Pro Championships
          2nd 1999 Jefferson Pilot Pro
          4th 1997 World Professional Team Championships (Team Russia was 4th, B & P won the pairs event)
          1st 1996 World Professional Championships
          1st 1996 Canadian Professional Figure Skating Championships
          1st 1996 Rowenta Masters On Ice
          1st 1996 U.S. Open
          1st 1996 Challenge Of Champions
          2nd 1995 World Professional Championships
          1st 1995 Challenge Of Champions
          3rd 1995 Metropolitan Open
          1st 1994 U.S. Open
          2nd 1994 World Professional Championships
          3rd 1994 Challenge Of Champions
          3rd 1994 North American Open
          1st 1993 U.S. Open
          2nd 1993 Challenge Of Champions
          1st 1993 Miko Masters Competition
          3rd 1993 World Professional Championships
          2nd 1992 World Professional Championships
          4th 1992 Challenge Of Champions
          2nd 1992 U.S. Open

          2nd 1986 Prague Skate
          3rd 1986 European Championships
          3rd 1985 Moscow News Cup
          2nd 1985 Skate America
          1st 1984 Skate Canada

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